Focus

New turn expected in Babri case

The Milli Gazette

Published Online: Jan 02, 2013

Print Issue: 16-31 December 2009

By Husain Amin

Lucknow: A new turn is expected in the long-drawn litigation over title suit of Babri Masjid land in Ayodhya, according to the convener of the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, Zafaryab Jeelani who said this during his usual yearly visit to Ayodhya on the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary. The day was observed this year by some as yaom-e-gham (day of sorrow), by some as yaom-e-du’a (day of prayer) and by some as kala divas (black day). Some people observed fast also on that day. Crocodile tears were also shed by some political parties who demonstrated a newfound-interest in Babri Masjid with an eye on the Muslim vote bank. However, their interest was phoohpooed.

With the Liberhan Report out, it had become talk of the day here on 6 December this year. Utterances for and against were in currency. For some, the report was useless, some thought it was not impartial, some wanted to consign it to the waste bin... Various Muslim organisations, including All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, Muslim Majlis, Indian Union Muslim League and Islamic Centre of India, in their memorandums to the President of India, Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of UP, made demands with reference to the Liberhan report. The demands included a quick disposal of the litigation (the hearing of which has remained suspended for the last three months), and that all those identified by the commission should be charge-sheeted by the CBI. These leaders including LK Advani who were freed of conspiracy charges by CBI should be charged again. All the BJP, VHP leaders except Vinay Katiyar (who had a different reason for his visit to Ayodhya), stayed away from Ayodhya. Zafaryab Jeelani made his usual visit to Ayodhya and Faizabad on 6 December. In Ayodhya, he visited Muhammad Hashim, the oldest litigant in the case of Babri Masjid, and Haji Mahboob, another party in the case.

Mr. Jeelani’s message about the Liberhan Commission Report bore a constructive approach. He made it clear that Muslims were not against or opposed to the report of the Commission on demolition of Babri Masjid. He said that despite discrepancies and flaws in the report, there is no question of rejecting the report.

The worth and utility of the Liberhan Commission report on demolition of Babri Masjid was highlighted when Mr. Jeelani said that the report will be used as a proof and witness. Mr. Jeelani and Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi, Advocate of High Court, are fighting the legal case of the Babri Masjid. Advocates Syed Irfan Ahmad and Fazle Alam also represent Muslims in this case.

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